We Are Famous!

I can't name any names, but one of our good friends is a billionaire. Yea, it's pretty awesome for him, and his family, but also for us as his friends. When invited, we get to travel to their ridiculously gargantuan home in Florida to holiday with them, Mike has flown on their private jet a few times, and has sat front row at Nets games.

The other day we learned that our friend's family had recently acquired, or bought, a country club just North of Manhattan, in New City, NY. Long story short, he lets Mike and I know that they are using pictures from our wedding on their website under the "events" category. How cool is that?!

Who knows if they'll keep those pictures up as they revamp their site in the coming months, but for now we are embracing our new found fame as spokespeople of the Dellwood Country Club!

Check us out here.

The Art of Baking

I love to cook. Whether it's following a complicated recipe or coming up with a dish of my own, I really enjoy putting ingredients together and mixing flavor combinations to end up with something that tastes great. This is simple to me.

Unfortunately my skills are not as stellar when it comes to baking. Up until recently, I have not had the desire to bake. Precise measurements and having to wait several hours just to let something rise was not that exciting to me. It just seemed like it was easier to leave baking to the professionals.

Well, I have to admit that my perspective on baking has changed as of late. Mike has always enjoyed baking and has mastered the art of making great pie crust. He bakes a mean apple pie, and he makes it look so easy.

For Labor Day weekend we took a day trip to Saint Michaels, Maryland and bought a pound of fresh blueberries. We worked together and made a lovely blueberry pie and then amazing blueberry muffins. And guess what?! It wasn't that complicated, it was just as fulfilling as cooking, and I enjoyed it.

Who would'a thunk it? Baking aint so bad! See for yourself.

Washington 16 - USC 13

Oh, the sweet sweetness.

I Endorse: Veritas Wine Bar

Last night Mike and I had another great dinner at Bistro Du Coin. We ate early at around 7pm, so afterwards decided to go have some wine at Veritas, a cozy wine bar right on Florida Avenue which is a hop, skip, and a jump away from Bistro Du Coin. It was a cool night, so we chose to sit outside and enjoy the nice breeze. It felt lovely!

The Veritas wine list is extensive but not daunting like some wine lists are. There are many great reds and whites to choose from. You can have wine by the glass or of course, by the bottle. They also have a great variety of red, white, and dessert wine flights.

We had wine by the glass. Mike started off with the Hullabaloo Zinfandel from Napa Valley, CA which was very tasty. I had the Matchbook "Tinto Rey" from Dunnigan Hills, CA which was a blend of syrah, tempranillo, malbec, petit verdot, and graciano. It was great. Smooth, a little spicy, with a nice finish.

The couple sitting next to us got some munchies which looked good, but we were stuffed from dinner, so didn't order any food. The food on their menu sounds great, so we will definitely go back to have drinks and bites next time. They offer a nice selection of cheeses, charcuterie, dips, and chocolate. Yummy.

The servers were very attentive and down to earth, which we both appreciated. The seating inside was nice as well. Dark with some light music and a nice hum from people chatting. I liked the crowd too. It was a good mix of people. No rowdy annoying GW grads or anything like that.

I can say with certainty that we will return to Veritas again soon for some tasty wine and a good time. You should try it too! Check it out for yourself here.

This Just In . . .

Calling the President a liar during a joint session of Congress makes you an asshole.

It also compromises your campaign against human progression.

Thanks, Joe!

Friday's Case Study #1: Logan Tavern

I am happy to introduce the first of what I hope will be many Friday's Case Studies. This is where Mike and I highlight a restaurant that embodies the very essence of what we call Friday's with Cilantro.

Focus: Logan Tavern

Location: 1423 P Street, NW Washington, DC 20005

Signs pointing to Friday's with Cilantro status:

1. Patrons in the queue hang out on the sidewalk and don't move when you are trying to get by walking your unbelieveably cute dog;

2. Fusion food offering: Try their "Orange-Pepper Crispy" calamari. Paired with what Logan describes as an Asian dipping sauce (more like citrus goop), presented in a Chinese take-out box and served with chopsticks. Are you kidding me? What the hell is Asian about fried calamari?

3. Standing room only for brunch. Read: Young, trendy and annoying patrons wearing their Sunday best. Bragging rights for the Georgetown u-grad with the largest sunglasses.

4. Is one of four affiliated restaurants -- all are equally bad (see picture above).

5. Grossly overpriced.

I Endorse: Nostalgia

I was watching SportsCenter tonight and learned that in a few days Michael Jordan will be inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame. ESPN put together an MJ highlight reel. It was probably five minutes -- it could have been three hours.

MJ won NBA titles in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998. Played in April, I was 13 when he won his first, 20 when he won his sixth. While Jordan is undeniably the Greatest in his sport, I think he holds a special place in my heart because of who he was, when he was, what he was. Jordan's career spanned middle school, high school and college for me. When he retired a Washington Wizard, I had already met Christina (2003). All of the stages of my post-pubescent life I lived watching MJ.

It is, for lack of a better word, so complex how you think about the past as an adult. My own child or children (coming in the next couple of years, I am sure) will only hear stories of Jordan like I heard about Ruth and Mantle, Lombardi and Namath, Chamberlain and Dr. J; he or she will read about him and overhear recounts of "His Airness" from old folks like Dad and his friends. Never will my children have the distinct feeling of youth gone by and coming of age that I have when I think about Michael Jordan.

Funny, isn't it, how the most random and seemingly insignificant things can so greatly impact our lives as adults. Here's one for nostalgia.

Return to Respectability

I love my Dawgs. After a losing stretch of years, we have a new coach, new philosophy and hopefully this will be the return of our program. The Huskies host LSU tonight and I am eager to see how Jake Locker comes back from a half season on the bench nursing injuries. Keep your fingers crossed with me . . . .

Dressing For The Season

My wife just posted about Autumn being her favorite season and it is no surprise, I am sure, that it is also my favorite. Deciding to marry in October was really a no-brainer for us. We both look forward to the season of cooler temps and earthtones wishing that it were as long a season as Summer in DC.

My post today is a commentary on dressing as One should according to the traditional calendar as well as the weather conditions where you live. For most (at least the five or so of you who read this blog) my post means little more than my attention to detail on all things sartorial is greater than the average human. I comment anyway:

1) Color and texture matter most. All have heard the "No White Past Labor Day Rule." Not to be followed religiously, but the premise is sound. Pack away linen, chambray and light weight/light colored cottons. The window for such materials is short, so if wardrobe usefulness is a concern (as it should be) these items should represent a small fraction, say 1/4 - 1/3 of your overall wardrobe. Living in DC means that I must have a set of light suits and sport coats. As much as I like them, away they go until Memorial Day.

2) Don't jump the gun. While scarves have become year round appropriate to the masses, I disagree with this proposition. Tweeds, heavier wools and wide-wale corduroy should not emerge until the lows are in the forties or the highs don't exceed the fifties. Sweaters, even lighter weight, should stay in the drawer while temps are summerlike. Even if your day planner says it is the tenth month.

3) Don't let magazines or retail windows dictate your dress. Both are at least a season ahead. I ignore the circulars and such by trying to buy off season. In other words, try to confine what you are looking at by concentrating on all the heavily discounted Summer stuff to buy now and wear next year. Honestly, I am not so good at this, but as time passes I hope to practice more of what I preach.

4) Physically rotate your wardrobe. Christina and I have a pretty big walk-in closet, but also have tupperware storage boxes under our bed for off-season wear. If you go through the process every Memorial Day and Labor Day, you will dress more season appropriate and save closet space.

So next Tuesday will likely be in the eighties -- I'll be commuting in DC with nothing weather appropriate to wear!!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

No not Christmas, although I absolutely LOVE Christmas-time. Fall! I can feel it in the air. That crisp, refreshing, breeze that carries with it nostalgic memories. Apple picking, pumpkins, warm pies, light sweaters, jeans....I love the fall!!!

Just think about it. It's still warm enough to not have to wear a coat. You can layer your tops and put some variety back into your outfits instead of wearing the least amount of clothing possible so as to not sweat to death. You can wear your jeans and not get uncomfortable or overheated. Boots can come out of your closet. I can go on and on, but you get the point.

I also love the fall because it reminds me of our wedding and what a magical day that was. I can't believe we will celebrate one year of marriage on October 12, 2009. My how time does fly...

So, get out there and enjoy it!